Akari Suda rises up to center stage for latest SKE48 single!

Popular idol group SKE48 announced that they will be releasing a brand new single, “ソーユートコあるよね？” (“Soyutoko Aruyone”), January 15. This will be the latest single from the group since “FRUSTRATION” back in July and will be the group’s twenty-sixth single overall. The single will also kick off the group’s twelfth year in the music industry. The announcement came via Japanese streaming app SHOWROOM, where it was also announced that the center will be Akari Suda—a first for her career— and the recently returning Jurina Matsui will not be participating in this single. Suda commented, expressing that becoming center was a dream of hers, a shocking one for sure, after having remained out of the limelight in comparison her peers. She said that she will try her hardest not to ruin this chance she was given.

Like previous 48 releases, “Soyutoko Aruyone” will be available in multiple editions. Check out the trailer for the single along with pre-order links below!

Type A Standard edition / Limited edition

Type B Standard edition / Limited edition

Type C Standard edition/ Limited edition

Type D Standard edition/ Limited edition

The envy shows the true Fallen with new album!

Hot off the heels of their latest European tour, six-member heavy metal band envy announced that they will be releasing a brand new album, The Fallen Crimson, February 5. This will be the latest album by the group since Atheist’s cornea back in May of 2015. Not much is known about the album except that it will be released with eleven tracks total and will feature guest vocalist Achiko helping out with their track “Rhythm”. The Fallen Crimson will also have an international release for fans located outside of Japan. It will also be available in a limited edition vinyl version limited to 1,000 copies. 

Check out the preview for the album along with the pre-order link for the US and EU version of The Fallen Crimson below!

US International version

EU International version

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Track listing:

envy「THE FALLEN CRIMSON」

01. Statement of freedom

02. Swaying leaves and scattering breath

03. A faint new world

04. Rhythm

05. Marginalized thread

06. Hikari

07. Eternal memories and reincarnation

08. Fingerprint mark

09. Dawn and gaze

10. Memories and the limit

11. A step in the morning glow

Nogizaka46 announces second documentary

Mega idol group Nogizaka46 revealed they will be dropping their second documentary titled Itsunomanika, Koko ni Iru Documentary of Nogizaka46 which will drop December 25. The first documentary that the group released was back in 2015. This new documentary will focus on the graduation of Nanase Nishino and feature interviews with various members regarding her graduation. Itsunomanika, Koko ni Iru Documentary of Nogizaka46 is being released in four editions total: a two-disc DVD edition, a two-disc Blu-ray edition, a four-disc DVD complete edition, and a four-disc Blu-ray complete edition. The complete editions also come with a photobook and five individual photos, their own unique slipcases, and a random bookmark. Pre-orders are up and posted below.

Two-disc DVD Edition

Two-disc Blu-ray Edition

Four-disc DVD Complete Edition

Four-disc Blu-ray Complete Edition

AZKi shows fans she wouldn't be here without U!

Popular virtual YouTuber AZKi announced that she will be releasing her first album without U November 12 along with the music video for its lead track “嘘嘘嘘嘘” (“Uso Uso Uso Uso”) on her official YouTube channel. “Uso Uso Uso Uso”, like several of AZKi’s tracks, is produced by production team SCRAMBLES, now known as T.S.I. Ichiro Iguchi took the producing role this time around as he takes AZKi though a more heavy rock composition in which her more emotional and cheerful style becomes infused with the heavy bass sound. without U will have several producers such as T.S.I., fellow V-Tuber Same no Poki, USAGI Production, and TEMPLIME, just to name a few. The album will be released with thirteen tracks total and two CD-only editions simply called Type A and Type B. Not much is different between the two editions except that the covers and the pre-order items are different. 

Along with album news, AZKi also announced a brand new live concert lovingly called REPEAT THiS LiFE WiTH U, scheduled for December 29 at Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Harevutai. The event will have several tiers of tickets which you can pre-order here.

Check out the music video for “Uso Uso Uso Uso”, the trailer for without U, and pre-order links for the album below!

Type A

Type B

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Track listing:

1.without U

Lyrics / Composition / Arrangement : RD-Sounds

2.コトノハ

Lyrics / Composition : KAZUKI SATO(T.S.I/SCRAMBLES) / Arrangement : SCRAMBLES / Produce : T.S.I(SCRAMBLES)

3.嘘嘘嘘嘘

Lyrics / Composition : ICHIROU IGUCHI(T.S.I/SCRAMBLES) / Arrangement : SCRAMBLES / Produce : T.S.I(SCRAMBLES)

4.自己アレルギー

Lyrics / Composition : SATOSHI TOYOSUMI(T.S.I/SCRAMBLES) / Arrangement : SCRAMBLES / Produce : T.S.I(SCRAMBLES)

5.虹を駆け抜けて

Lyrics / Composition : ICHIROU IGUCHI(T.S.I/SCRAMBLES) / Arrangement : SCRAMBLES / Produce : T.S.I(SCRAMBLES)

6.ちいさな心が決めたこと

Lyrics / Composition : AZKi/ Arrangement : SCRAMBLES / Produce : T.S.I(SCRAMBLES)

7.世界は巡り、やがて君のものになる

Lyrics / Composition / Arrangement : SAME NO POKI

8.Midnight Song

Lyrics : tamu(USAGI Production) / Composition・Arrangement : Batsu(USAGI Production)

9.Reflection

Lyrics / Composition / Arrangement : KABOSNIKKI(TEMPLIME)

10.のんびりと、

Lyrics / Composition / Arrangement : POTE

11.フロンティアローカス

Lyrics / Composition / Arrangement : HAMU & clocknote.

12.リアルメランコリー (TEMPLIME Remix)

Lyrics / Composition / Arrangement : WATARU SENA

13.Starry Regrets(BATSU Remix)

Lyrics / Composition / Arrangement : HAMU

Gospellers announce mega album

Vocal group Gospellers announced their brand new compilation album titled G25 -Beautiful Harmony- which will drop December 18. The Gospellers are celebrating 25 years in the music industry and they are going big. This album will contain songs going back to their debut single “Promise” which came out in 1994, all the way to their latest single “VOXers” which just came out this October 30. The total number of tracks will amount to a whopping 58. G25 -Beautiful Harmony- is being released in two editions, a five-disc CD-only standard edition and a limited edition which will come with a bonus Blu-ray. It has yet to be revealed what will be on the Blu-ray but pre-orders are up and will be posted below along with “VOXers” so you can get a small taste of their upcoming album.

Standard Edition

Limited Edition